Chapter 22

Dave put his feet up onto the small wooden table “So what exactly are you doing living inside of me?”

Odio set his cup down as he also rested his long thick arms on the armrests “I needed a place to stay while I recovered my… energy”

“And how long is that going to take?” Dave looked at his watch “Because I seem to be losing a few minutes talking to you”

Odio chuckled and the redness dimmed but slowly returned to his body “heh that depends on your actions, things like fighting a dragon and being burned alive slows me down because I have to fix you”

Dave felt his skin crawl as the being made of a black fog pointed at him “So the reason I have the healing and the other stuff is because of you?”

Odio clapped but no noise was produced from his black hands “Yes while I am residing within you I have a small influence on things close by, but the only thing you bring to the table is a resistance to magic” Odio lent forwards and reached for a TV remote that appeared on the table

Dave and Odio watched as a large TV faded into existence next to the chairs they were both sat on “So that’s why the teleportation from Canterlot sent me and Spike partway” Dave tapped his chin “How am I resistant?”

“Your world is completely void of magic, your magicians just perform complex and difficult tricks” Odio pressed a button on the TV remote and a magician appeared on the screen holding a hat “the laws of your world still apply to you”

Dave recognised the magician on the screen “Hey he was at my eighth birthday party…” Dave looked over at Odio and snatched the remote “does this play my memories?”

Odio’s chair melted into the shape of a recliner as he relaxed back “Yes, this is your mind remember, your imagination is the law here”

Dave pressed some buttons on the remote “Ok… memory channels… recent… ah ha found it!” He selected the picture of Luna attacking Rainbow Dash “Now how did Celestia see me?”

Odio held out a pair of binoculars “Look at Canterlot in the distance… up a bit” he instructed Dave as he looked into the distance of his memory

Dave saw the tower that contained Celestia’s bedroom and saw the princess standing at her telescope looking directly at him “Ah crap” Dave sighed angrily as Odio glowed a dim red

Odio’s grin turned to a snarl as the image of Celestia filled the screen “She sent you a letter remember?”

Dave dropped the binoculars as he rubbed his face “Yeah I am going to read it the moment I wake up” he sat back in his own chair “I still have some questions that need answering”

The fog creature crossed its arms “Ask away so after tonight we wont have to talk as much”

“Why can’t you live outside of me? Or in a pony?” Dave concentrated on the table as a can of cola faded into view

Odio leaned over towards Dave “Because there are certain forces that wish to remove me from existence and I don’t want to be destroyed”

Dave opened his can as he sat back into his chair “Yeah well after the way you have been treating me I might help them” he took a sit of what should be a can of refreshing drink but instead it tasted of nothing

“You wouldn’t want to do that” the black fog floated from its chair and over to Dave “Because if they find out I am here they will get rid of you as well”

Dave wafted some of the putrid black smoke from his face “Why the hell would they do that?”

Odio floated back into his chair “Because of a certain side effect that I didn’t really predict when I fused into your body”

It was Dave’s turn to stand up now and he threw his can aside “Wait side effect? So you have been giving me some weird condition and not telling me?” He pointed angrily at the black and red fog

“And there it is” Odio’s red smile dimmed “Because your body is resisting me I am having to apply some force to keep me here and that has caused a slight… mixing of our personalities”

Dave raised an eyebrow “Mixing? Am I gonna end up looking like you?”

“No but have you noticed your temper has been rather short lately? I am… was normally angry all the time but now I have become slightly more cynical” The fog brushed Dave’s fingers away as a thin strand coiled around his neck “But don’t think I don’t have gone soft”

Dave felt the black string tighten slightly around his neck “You said you could influence things slightly… what kind of things?”

Odio’s grin returned, “I can slightly delve into the minds of others and get a better grasp on their intentions”

“So you could see if Celestia is ok for me?” Dave smiled even though the grasp around his throat returned

“I wouldn’t want to delve into her mind even if I could” Odio’s foggy figure shaped wavered slightly “Alicorns I can’t see into, maybe Luna if I try… Unicorns are slightly harder due to magical properties, Pegasi and earth ponies are relatively easy and Pinkie Pie…”

“Pinkie Pie what?”

Odio seemed to shrug lightly in his dense fog “Her mind is so confusing I just decided to back out, some of the ideas she has are just strange”

“Whatever are we done here?” Dave summoned a large pair of scissors to cut the tendril as he turned and took a few paces away “I have a letter to read”

Odio rose up as well “Fine I can send you from this place but remember, no one is to know I am here” a red light slowly began to fill Dave’s vision “If I am revealed they will know instantly and they will come for us”

“What are these things that might come looking for you?” Dave called as he shut his eyes because of the intensity of the light

“They are infinitely powerful at this time so I recommend ignoring it” Odio responded as Dave fell to his back

As Dave landed he awoke inside a dimly lit tent, as he sat up he noticed Spike curled up and sleeping next to him “Heh cute little guy”

“Not in a century or two when he hits natural puberty” Odio whispered in his head before fading away

“Well I won’t be alive then so who cares?” Dave muttered to himself as his waking irritated Spike’s slumber

Dave carefully climbed out of the tent, picking up the letter along the way so he did not disturb Spike further, the low morning sun cast a dull orange glow across everything

As he climbed out, he saw the charred remains of sticks and marshmallows piled in the centre of a small stone circle, a small wisp of smoke coming from a small ember at the heart of the burnt wood

Dave gently poked his head into the girl’s tent to see them all laid out in different positions about the tent, they all breathed gently, Scootaloo’s wings occasionally flapping

Dave walked gently over to the other side of their makeshift campsite and unrolled the letter

Dear Dave

The castle is available for you to stay in for the next few days if you wish to visit Canterlot properly this time, you may bring the elements of harmony with you

From Princess Celestia

Dave reread the short letter as he rolled it up again “huh an invitation to the castle so I can seethe city?” Dave scratched his chin “Something doesn’t seem right”

Dave walked over to his tent, pulled out a saucepan and wooden spoon “OI BREAKFAST!” he yelled as he bashed his spoon against the bottom of the saucepan

Dave’s tent filled with a green glow as Spike jolted awake sending a small burst of flame from his nose, the girl’s tent jumped of the ground as they bolted awake and Scootaloo literally hit the roof

Dave started cooking a light breakfast as the campers all exited their tents with tired faces “Why couldn’t we stay in bed a little longer?” Applebloom groaned as she sat next to Dave

“Because that’s what campers do, stay up late and get up early for some silly reason” Dave evenly shared out some of the breakfast amongst the fillies before placing what was left onto his plate

“Hey what about me?” Spike complained as the girls hurriedly ate their breakfast

Dave passed him a small bag “will emeralds do?”

Spike opened the bag and three large emeralds rolled onto his lap “How did you get these?”

Dave managed to swallow in time to answer the dragon’s question “Just a few of the gems from my chests at home”

Spike bit of the end of one of the gems, crunching loudly as he chewed “Thanks Dave” he said from behind small dark green shards

“No problem, now eat up so we can start heading back… we have a train to catch!” Dave said excitedly

“Again? Can’t you just have a few quiet days at home?” Spike groaned

Dave started collecting clean plates “Because that would be way too simple,” he said keeping his enthusiastic tone as he started dismantling the tents

They packed up and began their journey home, Dave continually complaining about how football should be played in Equestria along most of the trip

Meanwhile…

Twilight left the post office with a letter from the Princess floating alongside her as she walked into her library, she had collected the letter from the post office because she had received a letter while Spike had met her in sugarcube corner

The original letter simply stated ‘Check post office for next couple of days’ not sure why, Twilight blindly followed her teacher’s wishes and sat down in her bedroom as she unrolled the letter

My faithful student

I have sent a letter to Dave as well informing that you may all come and stay in the castle again so Dave may fully visit Canterlot

He shall be returning today so you can all catch tonight’s train and I shall see you all by morning

Princess Celestia

Twilight eagerly levitated her travel bag over and began to pack some essentials

“Another chance to stay in the castle? This is great, I can show Dave some of the sights” She began to daydream to herself until a bird chirping broke her concentration “The others!” she suddenly remembered

She dashed downstairs, out her front door and towards Sweet Apple Acres via Sugarcube corner

As she ran into the front door of the shop Mrs Cake finished serving a customer and greeted Twilight with a smile

“Oh hello are you here for Pinkie Pie?” She began to turn towards the baking area as Twilight stopped at the counter

“I can’t stop but is it possible she can be packed and ready for a short trip to Canterlot by this afternoon?” Twilight trotted on the spot in eagerness to run for Applejack’s farm

Mrs Cake smiled again warmly “Why of course, she has been helpful these past few days, I’ll pass the message on”

“Thank you so much” Twilight nodded as she charged out of the front door again and towards the bridge out of town

Meanwhile…

Rainbow Dash angrily walked out of Ponyville General Hospital as she shook her wings “Stupid alicorn and her magic”

Her wings had suffered no damage but still felt sore as she flapped them to get into the air “Next time she wont be so lucky” She grumbled as she flew into town

“RAINBOW DASH!” Somepony screamed from below

Dash looked down to see Pinkie sticking her head out of her bedroom window, she flew down to greet the hyperactive pony

“Hey Pinkie how’s it going?” Rainbow floated a few feet away from the window but enough to hear Pinkie clearly

“Twilight was just here and she said we are going to Canterlot again this afternoon to stay in the castle so Dave can visit the city rather than being stuck in the castle all day” Pinkie waved her arms in the air “Isn’t that great?”

Rainbow Dash tapped her hooves together evilly “Go to Canterlot? Stay in the castle? Yeah sounds like fun” she smiled back at the excited mare

“Ok I’ll meet you at Twilight’s in a bit so we are ready for when Dave and the others come back” Pinkie bounced away and over to some pink saddlebags

“Yeah I’ll catch you later” Dash waved as she flew up to her house “And I can catch that alicorn while I am at the castle too”

A Few hours passed as Twilight managed to tell her friends about the small trip to Canterlot and Dave began to reach the outskirts of Ponyville…

“For the last time I don’t want to talk about it” Dave groaned as he paced down the hill, Ponyville was further than Dave had originally counted on

“Aww please tell us,” Scootaloo begged as her and the others jumped around his legs

“FINE!” Dave sighed in defeat “I once got glitter stuck up my nose and I sneezed into some girl’s face”

Spike roared with laughter with the fillies “How did you get glitter in your nose?” he managed to ask through his giggles

“I was five and I wondered what glitter smelled like” Dave pulled his hat down low to hide his embarrassment “It was a sticky, sparkly mess”

The children continued to laugh hysterically as they approached Dave’s house, he opened the front door so he could throw his bag inside before following the fillies back to Ponyville

“Right me and Spike have got to go find the others so I will take you to Ponyville” Dave lifted the dragon onto his now free shoulder “Will you be ok from there?”

Sweetie Belle nodded “We will be fine… it’s just a shame we didn’t get out cutie marks in camping”

As they arrived in the town the girls ran off as Dave and Spike headed for the train station, the sun was already beginning to fall as they turned the corner leading to the station

“HI DAVE!” Pike called out loudly from behind him

“AH oh… hey Pinkie, hey everypony” he waved as the other five ponies appeared from behind Pinkie

Twilight walked alongside Dave as they all continued their journey together “So what were you thinking of doing in Canterlot?”

“Oh this and that” Dave scratched his elbow “I may spend most of my time in the castle anyway”

Rainbow flew over to the platform as the others neared it “You should hang out with us, we know all the best places”

Dave was relieved to see Rainbow Dash was flying normally again as he heard the train whistle in the distance “I guess we will have to wait and see”

As they all stood on the edge of the platform, the train slowed and the driver gave Dave a small nod before the train stopped completely

“How far today?” the driver chuckled as the ponies all climbed into the cabin

As Dave started to climb in he looked back at the driver “All the way to Canterlot today, without any drama along the way please” he teased as the driver saluted playfully

“Why of course sir” the driver whistled the horn again as he released the brakes and the train began to slowly gather speed

Meanwhile…

Celestia held her head high, following alongside Strong Shield as they walked past the guards outside her room “What preparations have you made?”

“The guards have been doubled” Strong Shield saluted the rows of guards that walked past them “The numbers increase the closer he might get to your room”

“Will they be enough to stop him?” Celestia did not even look at the tired guard that accompanied her

“If they are as well trained as I believe they are then yes” Strong Shield looked back at the small platoon outside the princesses quarters “But if he is truly determined to see you I don’t think anything could stop him short of yourself, princess Luna or the elements of harmony”

Celestia paused to gaze out of the windows that lined the long corridor leading to her room “When he arrives act normal and take him to see my sister”

Strong Shield saluted “I have made sure that nopony outside of this castle will ever know what happens here” He dropped his hoof to the floor again “I shall handle everything”

Celestia gave a small nod at the sergeant left to finish preparing for the morning “See that you do” She hated applying this tough act but it was vital to her plan

“If he really wants to… he can get to me” She sank her head “I hope he does” she wished that this test would not cause any harm